Ballad of America: US History Through a Musical Lens

I remember one time a man was asking me about the music I perform and play, and I mentioned “folk” music in my reply. He asked me point blank, “What is folk music?” I was a little surprised. He looked to be in his late sixties or seventies, and I thought it was a given that someone of his generation would know that already. Another time I was on a panel promoting the upcoming SERFA conference (Southeast Regional Folk Alliance) in Chattanooga, TN, where we had relocated for 2019. Someone in the audience inquired, “What, exactly, is folk music?” When a fellow panelist replied, “Well, it’s music about folks,” I actually spit out my coffee, much to the amusement of everyone watching.

It’s not a “stupid” question. Most of us, including myself, have been raised on pop, country, or R&B radio. We know all the “popular” artists, even those going back to the fifties or sixties. But unless you are familiar with the “folk revival” of the sixties, then the concept of “folk music” may have totally passed over your head.

As I’m all about promoting folk music, I am especially excited to bring attention to a wonderful non-profit that educates the public on that very topic called Ballad of America. Its president, Matthew Sabatella, is its main torch-bearer, having conceived the idea for it amid his own journey of discovery. He was a singer-songwriter performing his music at various venues in the Southeast in the 90s when he came across the famous 1952 release from the Smithsonian Folkways label titled Anthology of American Folk Music. Like so many listeners before him, Matthew fell in love with this treasure of preserved American music from the past, and this led him down a path to learn more about the roots of America’s music, but also its history as the foundation of how American music developed.

To get a strong sense of what the non-profit Ballad of America is all about, one could watch one of their multi-media shows such as “A Celebration of America’s Music: From Plymouth Rock to Rock & Roll.” Last September 24, this very show aired at the Seminole Theater in Homestead, Florida to an audience of educators and students. Through historical storytelling and lecture, a vast array of historical photos and artwork, and live music performance by the Rambling String Band, Matthew Sabatella traces the origins and development of American folk music, influenced by indigenous inhabitants, European settlers, African Americans, and beyond. Matthew does the narration and lead singing, also demonstrating various folk melodies and songs on instruments like guitar, banjo, flute, and dulcimer. Other members of the band include Chris DeAngelis on bass, Jack Stamates on fiddle, and Sean Edelson on mandolin. You’ll hear all kinds of tunes ranging from a Lakota courting song to colonial dance tunes to slave and ragtime tunes to Appalachian ballads, all delivered in snippets or entire songs. This hour-and-a-half show is just one of many that are offered through Ballad of America, Inc.

So, what is Ballad of America about, exactly? The mission of the non-profit is to preserve music from America’s diverse history, and to offer online resources and live events to help others “understand, appreciate, and participate in” our history through its music. Some of the materials offered to educators, at-home teachers, and anyone who has an appetite to learn more about American folk music and history are articles, printable worksheets for students, sing-along recordings, lead sheets, and resources for group singing. Matthew Sabatella and a small team of educators and experts research and produce the articles and other materials covering multiple genres of music including traditional folk songs, fiddle tunes, ballads, sea shanties, railroad and cowboy songs, minstrel, work songs, Appalachian, spirituals, blues, and more. Their multi-media shows, besides the one previously mentioned, include Songs of Westward Expansion, Songs of the American Folk Revival, Songs of American Workers, Songs in the Life of Abraham Lincoln, Tribute to American Soldiers, The Story of the Banjo, and Singing the American Dream. These shows can be booked for live events or in online format.

There’s also a free PDF book offered on the site, “The Story of the United States in 12 Songs,” of which Sabatella says, “I chose songs that could shed light on major trends or events in America’s History.” In the book, twelve articles give some history from particular periods, accompanied by the lyrics to twelve songs that capture the essence of that particular time with their lyrics.

One example is the article “The Suffrage Flag,” which Sabatella told me is not just focused on women getting the right to vote, but gives the history of multiple women’s movements leading up to that point. I questioned him about the selection of another powerful song near the end of the book, “If You Miss Me From the Back of the Bus,” and he shared:

“If You Miss Me From the Back of the Bus” was partially chosen because the verses are specific about injustices that they were trying to correct. As to some (possible choices) such as “We Shall Overcome” with great messages, the words don’t necessarily say specific things about what they were doing. Whereas “If You Miss Me From the Back of the Bus” does. I wanted one thing to explain, not just the Civil Rights Movement, but everything that was happening in the 20th Century that necessitated the Civil Rights Movement.”

Beyond the educational value of Ballad of America and all its offerings, The Rambling String Band offers traditional music in shows focused on pure entertainment. Check out a sampling of what you’ll encounter at one of their shows.

Their discography includes Ballad of America Vol. 1: Over a Wide and Fruitful Land; Ballad of America Vol. 2: America Singing and Ballad of America 3: Songs in the Life of Abraham Lincoln.

If you have a desire to learn more about America’s folk music heritage or wish to access extensive resources on the subject, do visit BalladofAmerica.org for more information. And better yet, keep abreast of their upcoming live events on their Facebook page.